The "Terrorism Czar" was first a Cabinet-level position, and then made a Cabinet department.

Coordinates a comprehensive national strategy to safeguard our country against terrorism, and responds to any attacks that may come.

The office was created on Sept. 20 2001 by Pres. Bush in response to the World Trade Center attack.

The Terrorism Czar Richard Clarke was not Ridge's predecessor -- Clarke's title was National Coordinator for Security and Counter-Terrorism and he served under Condoleezza Rice on the National Security Council. Clarke authored the 2004 book Against All Enemies.

Michael Chertoff served as Secretary of the Office Homeland Security in Pres. Bush's second term (2005-2009)

Tom Ridge served as Secretary of the Office Homeland Security in Pres. Bush's first term (2001-2004).
Gov. Ridge authored the book Test of our Times.

Rep. Paul McHale served as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security under Pres. Bush (2003-2009)

HUD tries to make sure there are enough homes for people who donít have a lot of money. It also helps enforce equal-opportunity housing laws, so that people wonít be discriminated against when they try to move into a new neighborhood.

Alphonso Jackson served as Secretary of H.U.D. in Pres. Bush's second term (2004-2008)

Mel Martinez served as Secretary of H.U.D. in Pres. Bush's first term (2001-2004)

Protects the health and well-being of Americans. HHS is in charge of Medicare (which provides health insurance to older and disabled Americans) and Medicaid (which helps provide insurance to low-income citizens). Its other agencies include:

Defends the nation and, sometimes, defends the administration's political goals in other countries.
The Defense Department is headquartered in the Pentagon and is in charge of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The DoD's budget dwarfs all other departments' budgets -- 26% of all budgetary spending.
Hence DoD should be at the top of the list in all discussions of "shrinking government."

JCS: Joint Chiefs of Staff from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

(2001 discretionary budget for all other agencies not detailed above totals $11.7 billion. Note that mandatory spending is not included in budget figures unless specified.
Total of all discretionary spending for FY 2008 is $348 billion, plus $788 billion on DoD, DVA, and War on Terror discretionary spending.
Total of all discretionary spending for FY 2001 was $661.6 billion.)

Executive Agencies

Some additional federal agencies are overseen directly by the Executive branch:

White House: The Chief of Staff oversees the functioning of the White House.